The Effect of Certain Types of Drugs on Weight Loss

The Effect of Certain Types of Drugs on Weight Loss

Can one little pill impact your weight? It sure can. If you are taking any substances, whether illicitly or by prescription, it can have a major impact on your body, including your weight.

Psychotropic Drugs

By their nature, psychotropic drugs (also known as psychoactive or psycho-pharmaceutical drugs) change the way your brain works. The mind-altering effects of these drugs can change your mood, behavior, perceptions, and even consciousness. While many psychotropic drugs are illegal, some are given by prescription. Generally, they are broken down into five categories:

Anxiolytics: Anti-anxiety medications, such as Benzodiazepines, are commonly prescribed to patients with anxiety disorders.

Euphoriants: Substances, such as MDMA (Ecstasy), offer a euphoric sensation to the user, but are generally illegal.

Stimulants: These substances are often used to activate the mind. Common stimulants include caffeine, cocaine, nicotine, and amphetamines.

Depressants: Substances, such as alcohol and opioids, produce a calm and sedated feeling for the user.

Hallucinogens: Drugs, such as LSD, can alter a user’s perception, even of time and space.

Because of the large variety of psychotropic drugs, they have varying effects on a user’s weight. Stimulants, such as medication for ADHD, are typically associated with weight loss, but some depressants, such as alcohol, can cause weight gain.

As such, it is highly advisable to only take psychotropic drugs under the close care of a physician. Any illegal or illicit substances can lead down a path of destruction for your body, whether you gain or lose weight.

Blood and Heart Medications

Depending on your heart condition, you can be given a variety of medications, including anticoagulants, beta-blockers, or vasodilators. Similarly, there are a host of medications that can be prescribed, depending on the type of blood condition you are experiencing, whether it is high blood pressure or high blood sugar.

Again, because of the wide array of medications that are available to treat blood and heart complications, you may experience weight gain or weight loss. Insulin, for example, is commonly associated with weight gain (though this seems like an oxymoron for treating a disease that is often caused by obesity). Similarly, beta-blockers, which are used for a variety of treatments, are also known to cause weight gain.

Diuretics

Diuretic medications are another common substance used to treat heart disease and high blood pressure, amongst other conditions. By stimulating the kidneys, this medication helps remove excess water through urination. Because these pills remove liquid from your body, users often lose a significant amount of water weight. This has made diuretics popular with dieters, but can be very dangerous and even cause extreme dehydration.

For more information on how medication can affect your body, contact Dr. Life today. His innovative program will help get you on a safe path to a happy and healthy lifestyle.